Today, during the plenary session, the European Parliament will present Nadia Murad and Lamiya Aji Bashar with the 2016 Sakharov Prize for Freedom of Thought.

Dennis de Jong, MEP and co-Chair of the Intergroup on Freedom of Religion or Belief welcomes the recognition by the Parliament of the courage of these two human rights advocates: “By awarding the prize to Nadia Murad and Lamiya Aji Bashar, the European Parliament looks to commend their efforts and revitalise their plea for help to the international community. They are spokespersons for women afflicted by war, spreading the word on the persecution and hardships faced by the Yazidi minority in the context of the conflict in Syria and Iraq”.

Peter van Dalen MEP and co-Chair of the Intergroup: “These two women have suffered terrible abuse. We call upon the international community to prioritise and investigate these crimes against humanity, which are still ongoing today. Ethnic and religious minority groups have a place in the Middle East and we must help them safeguard it”.

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